Planting: Rich moist well drained soil in sun or partial shade, 50 degrees minimum, evergreen perennial, 10’.
Harvest: Fruits are collected during the dry season and dried whole. Seeds are removed for oil extraction or used in infusion, extracts, powders, and tinctures.
Culinary: Seeds are used to flavour baked goods, coffee, curries, pickles, mile-based desserts, fruit compotes, and mulled wine. The essential oil is used in perfumery.
Medicinal: A pungent, warm, aromatic herb that has stimulating tonic effects, especially on the lungs and kidneys. It relaxes spasm, is expectorant, and improves digestion. It also detoxifies caffeine and counteracts mucus-forming foods, such as dairy produce. Used internally for indigestion, nausea and vomiting, enuresis, and pulmonary disease with copious phlegm.
Third Eye Vision:
Seeded: Transplanted to pot, Spring 2009
Experience: I bought a live plant in 2009 and it still lives. It grows very slowly and is a green ornamental that I keep in my house, and thankfully the cat doesn't poop in the pot. It seems relatively healthy and is decent looking. However, based on posts, I now suspect that it may not be a true Elletaria, but instead Cinnomon Ginger, Alpinia nutans. It looks good anyway. So I am going to try from seed, which is difficult to propagate, and there is not much consistent germination information that I can find. My plan: January 15 pot it, keep moist, and look for germination by April 1.
Links: Wiki
Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)
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